Automatic sheet associating mechanism and control



O t- 6, 193 w. H. mason 1,826,463

AUTOMATIC SHEET ASSOCIATING IEGHANISII AND CONTROL Filed June 17, 1929 9 sheets-Sheet 1 AUTOMATIC SHEET ASSOCIATING MECHANISM AND CONTROL Filed June 17, 1929 9 t -sh et 2 Tier 2 gwomhz (AM WM flai y fa /Lu dummy Oct. 6, 1931.

AUTOMATIC W. H. GIBSON Filed June 17, 1929 SHEET ASSOCIATING MECHANISM AND CONTROL 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 gwmnloz Oct. 6, 1931. w. H. GIBSON 1,826,463

AUTOMATIC SHEET ASSOCIATING IECHANIIl AND CONTROL Filed June 17, 1929 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 75 PUMP Oct. 6, 1931. w. H. GIBSON 1,826,463

AUTOMATIC SHEET ASSOCIATING MECHANISM AND CONTROL Filed June 1'7. 1929 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 it D 80 I W4II'IIIII F IGE. 11 84 amnion Mm J JLAM dual wa t w. H. GIBSON 1,826,463

AUTOMATIC SHEET ASSOCIATING IECHANISI AND CONTROL Oct. 6, 1931.

Filed June 17, 1 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Oct. 6, 1931. w. H. GIBSON 1,326,453

AUTOMATIC SHEET ASSQCIATING MECHANISM AND CONTROL Filed June 17, 1929 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 iii-In \\\\\\\\\IIIII/% Oct. 6, 1931. w. H. GIBSON 1,826,463

AUTOMATIC SHEET ASSOCIATING MECHANISM AND CONTROL Filed June 17, 1929 9 she ts-Sheet 8 2152 Z50 205 v 3 a a! 80 37 Oct. 6, 1931. r w. H. slasofl 1,826,463

v AUTOMATIC SHEET ASSQCIATING IECHANISI AND CONTROL Filed June 17; 1929 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 I Patented Oct. 6, 1931 i ,HUNITEDT".STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM H. GIBSON, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE GIBSON ART COMPANY,

OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO AUTOMATIC SHEET'ASSOCIATING MECHANISM AND CONTROL Application filed June 17, 1929. Serial No. 371,614.

This invention relates to feeding mechanlating to the accompanying drawings and the nisms for printing presses, and more partlcuessential characteristics thereof are sumlarly to feeding mechanisms for interposing 'marized in the claims. l slip sheets between printed sheets as the Inthe drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation of printed sheets are discharged by the press, one formof a printing press with the prewhereby the fresh ink on the printed sheets ferred forms of sheet' feeding mechanisms will not lea've'an impression on the underembodied therein. Fig. 2 is a side elevation sides of the printed sheets asthey are autoof the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, but from matically stacked. v g the opposite side of the press. Fig. 3 i an One of the objects of this invention is the end elevation of the press and feeding mecha; provision of a paper feeding mechanism. anism looking from the left hand side of Fig. which may be controlled by the press soas to 1. Fig. 4 is a plan of the slip sheetfeeding alternately feed 'a slip sheet betweencac'h of mechanism. Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic detail the printed sheets as the latter are discharged of a portion of the operating mechanism as- If) by the press. sociated with the slip sheet feeding appara- Another object of the invention is to'pro- 'tus. Fig. 6 is a section taken alon the line vide a paper feeding m echanismwhich may 6-6 of Fig. 4. Fig 7 is a section ta en along be directly controlled'in a tiniedrelationship the line 77 on Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a perspective with the. operation of the printing press. of a portion of the control mechanism for the 2 Another object of this invention is to proslip sheet feeding apparatus. Fig. 9 is a de- 5 vide a paper feeding apparatus, which will tail showing the discharge mechanism of the I feed sheets to a printing press, to be printed, printing press. Fig. 10 is a diagram illustratand a second sheet feeding mechanism opering the electrical controlfor the slip sheet vating in a timed relationship with the first feeding mechanism. Fig. 11 is alongitudinal named feeding mechanisms, adapted to discentrally located section of the feeding mechchar e unprinted sheets, or slip sheets, alteranism which feeds sheets to the press to be nate y with the printed sheets which are disprinted. Fig. 12 is an electrical diagram ilchargedv from the press. v lustrating a manually operated electrical con- Affurther object is to provide an automatic trol for the paper feed mechanism illustrated control mechanism, which, upon afailure of in Fig. 11. The remaining figures illustrate the slip sheet feeding mechanism tofeed a a modified form of my invention wherein the slip sheet will cause a failure of the feed paper feed mechanism for supplying the slip mechanism supplying the press with sheetsto sheets to the press is substantially the same be printed, thereby'preventing an excessive as that used for supplyin sheets to beprintwaste of material. I .ed by the press. This em odiment also illus- Another object of the invention is to suptrates an automatic control for both sheet ply a sheet feeding mechanism adapted to feeding mechanisms. Fig. 13 is a side elevafeed slip sheets tothestack of printed sheets tion of the modified form taken from the being discharged by the press,, in such a man-l same side as Fig. 2.. Fig. 14 is a centrally ner that a failureof the press to discharge a located section through the slip sheet feeding, 86 printed sheet will cause a failure of the slip mechanism illustrated in Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is I sheet feeding. mechanism, thereby preventing a section taken along the line 1515 of Fig.

a waste of slip sheets. p 14." Fig. 16 is a side elevation of the feeding Other objects of my invention will become -.inechanism shown in Fig. 14, looking from the f apparent from'the following description reopposite side and illustrates a portion of the is generally in icated at 30, and the feeding mechanism for feeding slip sheets to the press .'is generally indicated at 20. The printing press may be the usual type of platen press,-

having a reciprocating bed and the usual inking apparatus. The press may com r1se s1de frame members 12 joined by sulta le cross members not shown. The frame members 12 may support the paper feeding mechanism 30, which will be, hereinafter described in detail, and a paper table 15 to which the feedm mechanism 30 feeds the sheets of unprinte material one at a time. The table 15 may be i provided with a conveyor adapted to progress the sheets forward, where they may be stopped by {suitable stop fingers, not shown. This conveyormay be of the ordmary belt type v ear 37 of one of the lower gripper fingers 33 is connected by means of a link 51 to a rock conveyor and may be driven in any suitable manner,such as by a chain 16, andgear 17, which cooperates witha main dr1v1ng gear 18 of the, press. As the sheets reach the stop fingers their movement is arrested and they are in position to be ickedup by suitable fingers, (not shown) 0 the usual type, which progress the sheet downward and place 1t on a platen 21, in a position to be printed. The fingers which place the sheet on the platen may be operated in the usual manner fromthe main drive shaft 19.

- A'type bed 22 may be supported by supplemental frame members 23 which may be pivoted to a cross shaft 24, mounted in the frame" members12 of the press. The supplemental frame members 23'also carry a su table 1nking mechanism of the usual type, generally indicated at 25. Y The type bed may be reciprocated by'means of connecting rods 26, pivoted at one end to the .frames 23 at 27 the other extremity of the rods being pivoted to driving gears 18 of the press, as atj28. The rotation of the driving gears 18 therefore w1 ll cause the type bed toosc'illate about the axls of the cross shaft 24, causing the type bed to co-act with a sheet held in' position against the platen 21, thereby causing an lmpression to be made on the sheet.

To" discharge the printed sheet from the platen I prefer to utilize paper ejector fingers 32 and :33 which may be supported by 'arms 34' and which maybe rigidly mounted ona shaft 35, rotatably journalled in the framemembers 12. The shaft 351s oscillatedas will hereinafter be described, thereby causing an oscillation ofthe fingers 32 and 33. The

ejector fingers are best illustrated in Fig. 3 and may comprise an upper and lower half 32 and 33 respectively, the upper half 32 being rigid with the arms 34 and the lower half 33 may be carried by a shaft 36 rotatably journalled in the arms 34. One of the porspring 43. The retraction of the cam 39 by reason of the rotation of the cam 42 permits the fingers to be drawn together in a closed position by the spring 45, one end of which is secured tothe lower fingers 33 and the other end to the arms 34." The shaft 35 is then oscillated so as to cause a printed sheet to be drawn rearwardlyin a position over a conveyor 50. I

-Inv order that the sheet may bereleased from the grip of the fingers '32 and 33 the arm 52 pivoted to thebar 34 adjacentthe shaft 35. The arm '52 carries a roller 53 8 adapted to co-act with a stationary cam 54,

mounted on the frame of, the press. This cam causes the fingers 32 and 33 to, be sep-.

arated, thereby permittingthe paper to drop free upon the conveyor '50.}

The conveyor 50 v(see Fig. 1). upon which the-paper falls, carries the paper to a stacka ing or joggingfmechanism jof any'suitable type 70. V Theconveyor 50 may be of the belt conveyor type supported by rollers 55 The oonveyormay'; be driven in any suitable manner, such as y'sprockets 56, a chain 57 and a gear'58. which meshes with one of the drive gears18 whichis rigidly'secured to the main drive shaft 19 of thepress. The conveyor is, however, driven at a slower's'peedthan the peripheral speed of the fingers 32 and 33 inorder that the fingers upon releasing the paper may be permitted to pass clear of the paper before the arms 35 'start' their refrom" the platen 21. I v

The press may bedriven by an suitable source of power. As illustrated in F igs. 1 and 2 the press is driven by means'of a motor 60, a belt 61 and apulley 62, drivingly mountturn movement to discharge another sheet Ill ed on a cross shaft 63, which is journalled in the frame members 12 -of the press. i The cross shaft 63 carries spur pinions 58 and 59 which mesh with the driving gears 18 of theipress. 7

The feeding apparatus for supplying. the

press with sheets to be printed is shown in "Figs-1, 2 and 11 and will now bedescribed.

' the frame mem rigldly secured to the drive shaft 19 of the press. A rock arm 86 pivoted to a frame member 14, at 87 carries a roller '88 which is held in contact with the cam 85 by means of a spring 89. The upper portion of the rock arm 86 may be pivotally connected by means of a link 90 to a boss91 on the table 80. Therefore, each revolution of the shaft 19 will cause the feed table 80 to be reciprocated once.

deflector bar 105 while the A vacuum may be introduced to feed the individual sheets. To accomplish this, the

table 80 carries a rack 95, (see Fig. 11) which" coacts with a gear 96 rigidlv secured to a hollow shaft 97, j ournaled in t e frame members 12. The reciprocation of thetable 80 will therefore causethe shaft'97 to be oscillated A stack of sheets to be printed is placed on the table80 in such a manner that the end of the stack will overlie the table and upon the forward stroke of the table (to theleft in Figs. 1 and 11) the stack will overlie the hollow shaft 97. The shaft" 97 may be connected by means of a suitable conduit 98 (see Fig.1) to a vacuum pump 99-whichis operated by a cam 100 rigidly secured to the main shaft 19. The hollow shaft '97 (Fig. 11) .is provided with a flattened portion 101 having a slot 102. As the paper table is oscillated (to the left in Fig. 11) the lowermost sheet of'paper is drawn in contact with the'flattened portion 101 of the shaft 97, by reason of the vacuum act-' ing through the slot 102, and is underneath a deflector bar 105 into the grip of feed rollers 106 which carry the sheet forward onto the conveyor belts 15. The balance of the stack is diverted upwards by the lowermost sheet is drawn from the stack by the rollers 106, thus causing the paper to be fed to the press one sheet at-a time for each revolution of the driving gear 18 of the press.

The type bed 21 of the press is oscillated by means of the connecting rods'26 (see Figs. 1 and 2) which are pivoted to the driving gears18 and islikewise brought into contact with the sheet once for each rotation of the gear 18, sheet discharge arms 34 arelikewise brought into operationonce during each revolution of the gear 18. A gear 71 mounted on a stub-shaft 72 is'dri'ven by a gear 73 which meshes with the drive gear 18. A

, gear 74 mounted on a stub shaft carried by'theframe 12 is driven by the gear 73 at the same speed as the driving gear 18. A rod 76 pivotally secured to the gear 75 cooperates with a crank arm 77 rigidly secured to the shaft 35 to cause the arms 34 to be some operation and therefore,

'nism shown in. the Patent oscillated. This oscillating movement of the arms causes a printed sheet to be discharged from the press onto a conveyor 50 from which it is discharged onto the stack S2, once for each revolution of the driving gears 18. a

It is evident that if the printed sheets are discharged one'on top of another the fresh ink would offset on the underside of the next succeeding sheet leaving a more or less distinct impression. In the past the practice has been to feed manually unprinted sheets of an inferior grade ofmaterial, known as slip sheets, alternately to the pile of printed sheets as the latter are discharged from the press. It is evident that the feeding of these slip sheets by hand is a slow operation which restricts the speed ofthe press tothat of the operator who feeds the slip sheets. This manual feeding of slip sheets isalso a tirevery undependable.

offsetting on the under-side of the printed sheets.

A feeding mechanism for theslip sheets is generally indicated at 20 and may be essentially similar to the sheet feeding mechasued to L. K. Aldrich. Itis apparent, however, that I may employ other types of sheet feeding mechanisms for this purpose, such as is illustrated inFigs. 13 to 20 inclusive. As illustrated in Figs. 1 to 12 inclusive, this mechanism may comprise substantially a frame of rectilinear cross section having side members 110 and cross members 111, which carry a vertically reciprocal table 112, adapted to provide a support for a stack of slip sheets 113. The table is fed upwardly for advancing the stack 113 towards asuction I nozzle 166 that is employed for removing the individual sheets from the stack and feeding them to a mechanism adapted to carry them to the stack of printed sheets S2.

Any suitable means maybe used for advancing the table 112. As shown in F igsf 2, 3 and '4, the advancing means may comprise a shaft 116 supported by the side frame members 110. The shaft 116 may carry a suitable hand wheel 117 and a worm 118.

The worm 118 drives a worm wheel 119 mounted on a shaft 120 which shaft carries sprockets 121. Chains 122 extend about the sprocket and support at one end the table 112 and carry at their other ends Weights or counter-balances 123. An automatic advancing means may be provided for the table 112 which may comprise a ratchet Wheel 124 I therefore provide mechanism associated in timed relationship with the No. 1,546,184, is}

mounted on the shaft 116 and engaging a pawl 125', carried by a ratchet plate 126 mounted for oscillation on the shaft 116. The ratchet plate 126 may extend transversely of the frame and is weighted at its inner end asshown at-127, and carries at its other J-of an arm 131; the arm 131 may be actuated end a pin which is engaged by an elongated slot formed in a link 130, depending from said ratchet plate. The lower end of the link 130 is pivotally connected to the forward end about its pivotal mounting 132 on the frame in any suitable: manner for actuating the link 130. V

, From the foregoing it will be apparent 1 that the weight 127 serves to'move the ratchet plate in a counter-clockwise direction while the upper end" of "theslot inthe link 130 limits such counter-clockwise direction ofthe' ratchet plate- Any suitable means may be used to limit the movement ofthe ratchet plate, so that the movement of the link 130 will'have no effect on the advancing of the stack of sheets 113 until desired. Y

Any suitable mechanism may be used to actuate, the arm 131. As illustrated in Figs.

' wherebythere is a tendency toward a vacu- 1 3 and 5 the arm 131 carries 'an upwardly projecting extension 137 whcih isprovided with a. rearwardly 7 extending finger .138, vupon which finger. is mounted aroller 139. The

roller is contained in a slideway 140 formed shaft 144 (see Fig. 2) also carries a rock arm 145, which is connected by means of a universal joint 146to a link l4? Which is pivotally connected to a rock-arm 148, rigidly sccured to the shaft 35, which carries the paper ejecting fingers 32 and 33 of the press. It is evident, therefore, from the foregoing, that the cam 141 is actuated once for each cycle ofoperation of the press and in a different timed relationship with theoperation of the paper eject-or fingers 32 and 33. r I

vAny suitable source of power may be used to drive this feed mechanism and supply the vacuum. As illustrated in Figs.2 and 39. motor 149 is mounted on a framemember 111 "and it is adapted todrive a suction pump 150 which receives airby the way' of'a pipe 152 um within the pipe. A valve 156 (see Figs. 3

and 5) is controlled by the rear end of the arm 131 in such a manner as to modify the degree of vacuum tendency within the pipe 152.

- The valve 156 comprises a shutter 157 that is pivotally mounted-upon a block 159 with which the pipe 152 communicates. The

ered by means of the cam 141: the arm 171 may" case the block 186 is held in yielding engageblock is provided with a port. 160 for which 1 the shutter 157 serves as a closure. The rear end of the shutter 157 carries a'pin 161 that is disposed within an elongated slot 162 formed in the upper endof an upright extension 163 formed on the rear end of the vbar 131. The shutter 157 is practically balanced on its pivot and is actuated in opposite directions by the wall of the-aperture 162 and a depending extension of an arm 171. The pipe 152 communicates by means of'a hose 16 5 with an oscillating nozzle 166. p

The pickup device forpicking up individual sheets from the stack 113 includes the nozzle 166 which may be rigidly mounted on a shaft 167 extending transversely at the top of the frame .(see Figs. 2 and 4); The, shaft may besupported by brackets 168 mounted on a shaft 169. The shaft 169 may be 'rotatably supported by the sidesllO andthe roller arm 171 is rigidly secured at one end of the shaft 169. andcarries a roller .17 2 adapted to engage a cam 141. From the foregoing it will be apparent thatasthe roller 172 is raised and lowcause the brackets 168 to raise and lower the shaft167 together with the 'nozzle 166. The. shaft 167 which is rotatably supported by the brackets 168 has rigidly mountedat one end a crank arm 17 3 that is pivotally connected by 06 meansof a link 174 to the extension 137 of the operating arm 131. f e e From the foregoing it will be apparent that the nozzle may haveimpartedto 1t both the I oscillating movement about the shaft 167 and an oscillating movementabout the shaft 169. v The nozzle 166 is provided with a plurality of suction valves 175 which may communi- -cate by way .of passages176 formed in the:

nozzle with ports 180. The ports 180 may be brought intocommunication with the suction hose 165 which results in removing the upper sheet from the stack 114 by means of the nozzle. The end 184 of the hose 165 is'con-' nected with a tubular stem 185 that may register with the ports 180.- The stem 185 may be supported by a bracket 188 carried by the shaft 169 against which bracket a spring 189, mounted'on a shaft 169 may abut- In this ment upon the'side ofthe nozzle 166.

The operation of the feeding mechanism is as follows: A stack of slip sheets 113is placed on the table 112, the-hand wheel 117 is then actuated to bring a stack of slip sheets to a proper level. When the printing press is started the cam 140 will actuate the nozzle 166, bringing the nozzle downwardly into en-. gagement upon the uppermost sheet and sealing the port'160and the valve 156. The suction then causes the uppermost sheet to engage the nozzle 166; the arm 171is then actuated by the cam 141" for elevatingthe shaft 167. The raising movement of the shaft 167 serves to raise the uppermost sheet-from the 18 Ill stack. The continuous movement of the cam acts through the linkage 137, 173, 174 and the shaft, 167 to swing thenozzle in a counter-clockwise direction, (Figs. 3 and6), thereby feeding the sheet to the discharge rolls 191 and 192. I i V The operation of the feeding mechanism to discharge a. sheet which has been previously separated from the stack 113 by reason of the vacuum exerted u on it bythe nozzle 166 will nowv be descri ed in detail. The

7 opened by reason of'the extension 163 of themovementof the nozzle is'continued'until the end of the uppermost sheet is passed between rollers 191 and 192 whereupon the sheet is released from the suction nozzle 166 by reason of the porta160 of'the valve 156 being operating arm 131 actuating the shutter 157.

The rollers 191 and 192, then, feed the sheet downwardly through a trough 194 into the bite of rollers 195- and 196, which in turn propel the sheet between the rollers 195 and 197 which discharge the sheet upon the stack of sheets 82 which have been discharged by the press; The rollers 191 and- 192 ma be driven by a belt 193 from the roller 195 w ich also frictionally drives the rollers 196' and mechanism is in position to 197. The roller 195 may be driven by means of a belt 195a, either'from the motor 149-or as illustrated in Fig.3, from the pulley 195?) mounted on the vacuum pump 15, which in turn is driven. from the motor 149 by a suit-,

charged, to the stack, from the press.

It is desirous to provide a mechanism which will control the operation of theslip sheet feeding mechanism, depending upon the presence or non-presence of a printed sheet between the fingers 32 and 33. It is evident that such a-mechanism will prevent unnecessary waste of slip sheets. To accomplish this, I preferto electrically ground finger 32 with the press and its associated mechanism. The finger 33 may carry an electrical contact member 200 which may be insulated from the finger by insulation 201. The contact 200 is so positioned that when the fingers 32 and 33 are in a closed position,in which position they are, when holding a sheet to be discharged, an electrical contact will be made between the contact member 200 and the finger 32 if there is no paper present. However, if a sheet of paper is present the contact 200 will be insulated from the finger 32 by the sheet, thereby reventing the circu1t from being made. in order that the contact 200 may be energized only at predetermined times the following mechanism may be employed. Rigidly secured to the shaft (Figs. 1 and 8) may be a yoke 202 the opposite ends of the yoke may be adapted to engagea lever 203 pivotally secured, intermedlate ts ends, at 204 to an insulating block 205, rigidly secured to the frame 12 of the press. The yoke 202 is so positioned on the shaft 35 that when the fingers 32 and 33 are in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9 the lower end ofthe walking beam- 203 is in a position where it is in contact with a contact member 206, which'is rigidly secured to the insulating block 205. In this osition the fingers 32 and 33 are held open y the cam 39, ready to receive a printed sheet and if upon, the closing of these fingers there is no sheet inthe platen the fingers will come together and a contact will be made by means of the fingers 32 and the contact member 200.

A collector arm 209 mounted on an insulat- 7 ing block 210 contacts with the contact member 208 and is connected with the rock arm 204 by means of wiring 207. This will energize the contact member 208 rigidly secured to the shaft 35 and connected to the contact 200 by means of wiring 207. The yoke 202 does not engage the arm 203 until the arms 34 carrying the fingers 32 and 33 are in a rearward position. Hence, the contact member 206 will be energized for a considerable length of time during which time the nozzle 166 would normally be in an operating condition. The contact 206 is connected by means of a wire 212 to a solenoid winding 213 (Fig. 10) the core 214 which is provided with a flanged head 215 adapted to form a valve closure member which cooperates with a port 216a in a valve block 217a, the other pole of the solenoid winding is connected to any suitable source of power such as a battery 218, one side ofwhich is grounded. It is evident from the foregoing that when the eucuit is madecausing the core 214 of the solenoid to be raised the port 216a of the valve 217a will be opened. The valve 217a may be positioned anvwhere in the vacuum line 152, as shown on Figs. 3 and 5 it is slightly below the valve 156. It is evident therefore,

' that as the core 214 opens the valve port 216a that the suction on the nozzle 166 is relieved and it will therefore fail to function onthe from contact with the member 206, thereby breaking the circuit to the solenoid and alesing the port 216a. This will permit the nozzle 166 and its associated parts to be in position to function normally on the next succeeding sheet providing, of course, that a printed sheet is gripped by the fingers 32 and 33 onthe next cycle of operation of the press.

In the embodiment shown 'in Figs. 1 to 12 inclusive I prefer to employ a manually operating electrical control for the'sheet feeding I, mechanism which feeds the press with sheets to be printed. I find that a manual control" is sometimes desirable as it tends to tion the switch is readily accessible to the operator when he removes the stack. Referring to the wire diagram in-Fig. 12 the switch 214 has one terminal connectedto a battery or other source of power 222 and the other terminal is connected to windings 223 of the solenoid 217. The-other terminal of the windings is connected'to the battery or' source of power 222 by suitable wiring 228, tocomplete the circuit. It will be seen that when the switch 214 is in a closed position as shown in Fig. 12 a core 229 of the solenoid will raise and carry withit an arm225 of a lever 2 26. 7

The paper feed table is provided with a plunger 230 which operates, in a vertically extending opening 231 in the table adjacent its foremost end. A rock arm 232 pivoted to a depending lug 2330f the table has a forked end 234 which coacts with a pin 235 in the plunger 230 to raise and lower the latter.

The 'other 'end of the rock arm 232 has a tapered face 236 adapted ,to'be operated on by a cam portion 220 of a bar 237, which is slidably mounted in brackets 238 depending from the table 80. 1 p

The vertical position ofv the plunger determines whether or not a sheet will be fed by the mechanism. Normally, the plunger 230 is in its lowermost position and the cam bar 237 I is drawn fully to the right with reference to the table 80, as shown in Fig. 11. Rigidly secured to the bar 237is a depending lug 241] which has a slotted-opening 242 adapted to receive an arm 240 of the lever 226. The

. slot 242 is of'sufficient height to permit the arm 240 to slide freely in the slot. In the normal operation'ofthe table 80 the cam bar 237 and the lug 241 reciprocate together uninterrupted by the arm 240. However, if, when the table 80 is in its foremost position the solenoid should cause the arm 240 to raise,

' the rearward movement of the table 80 will cause a shoulder 243 of the arm 240 to engage the lug 241 and prevent further rearward movement of the lug audits associated cam 220. The table 80, however, will continue in its rearwardmovement carrying with it the rock arm 232, the bevelled portion of which, will then be cammed downwardlyby'thecam portion'22O causing the plunger 230 to raise the stack-of sheets S1 a distance sufi'icient to carry them free of the suction roll 97 Hence, in'this event there will be no paper fed. The solenoid 217 then acts to release the lever 240 and permits it to assume its lowermost position in the slot 242 of the lug 241. Upon the next forward movement of the table 80, the lug 241 will be arrested by a shoulder 245 of the arm 240, while the table 80 will continue in its forward movement, causing the rock arm 232 to be withdrawn free of thecam 237 and permit the plunger 230 and stack of paper S2 to return to their normal positions,

in which position they will permit the feeding mechanism to function on its next forward movement. i

It will be seen from the foregoing descripti on that I have provided paper feeding mechanisms which operate in timed relationship to the printing'press, one of which feeding mechanisms is adapted to supply the press with sheets to be printed while the other feeding mechanism, is adapted to supply a slip sheet to the stack of printed sheets delivered from the press, and wherein one of the feeding mechanisms maybe automatically controlled depending upon the failure -or nonfailure of the other feeding mechanism, while a convenientlylocated manual control is provided for controlling the second feeding mechanism. I

I find that, in some instances, it is desirous to provide an automatic control whereby each feeding mechanism may be automatically controlled. Figs. 13 to 20 inclusive illustrate an embodiment wherein the slip sheet mechanism is similar in operation tothat of the paper feed mechanism 30 and wherein each sheet feeding mechanism is controlled by the failure or non-failure of the other to feed. In this embodiment the press 10 may be identical to the press shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The operation of the feeding mechanism 30 which feeds the press with sheets to beprinted may likewise be the same. However, the feeding mechanism 20a which is employed to, feed slip sheets to the stack'S2. is similar in operation to the feeding mechanism 30 and is driven as well as controlled by the press itself. The feeding mechanism as shown in Figs. 13 to 16, mayc'omprise frame members 250 and suitable cross members 251 which support a paper table 252 slidably mounted upon bars 246 secured at one end to theframe members 250 andsupported at their other ends on a cross member 247 which is supported by a substantially upright member 248.

The table 252 carries a rack 253 which c acts with apinion1 254, rigidly secured to a hollow shaft 255. Hence, when the table 252 may connect the hollow shaft 255 with the vacuum pump 99 heretofore described. The

table 252 has adepending ear 260 which is connected by means of a connecting rod 261 l to a crank arm 262 of the shaft 263. Hence,

when the shaft 263 is rotatedthe table 252 will be caused to reciprocate and upon the forward'movement of the table the slot 256 of the hollow shaft 255 will coactwith the" lowermost sheet ofthe stack S3 and by reason of the vacuumcause such sheet to pass below a deflectorbar 26 4 and between the bite of a pair of feed rollers 265 which withdraw the sheet from beneath the'stack and carry the same to a suitable conveyor 266 mounted upon rollers 267 rotatably mounted in the frame member's250. The shaft 263 may be provided with a bevelled gear 268 which meshes with a bevelled gear 269 carried by a shaft 270. 'The shaft 270 carries anism; as shown in Fig. 16 the shaft carries asprocket'275 which, by. means of a chain 276 drives a sprocket277 on the upper feed roll 265. A gear 278 secured to the upper roller 265 meshes with a gear 279 to drive, the lower feed roll 265. Rigidlysecured-to the lower feed roll is a sprocket 280 which, by means of a chain 282 drivesa sprocket 281 rigidly secured to one ofthe rollers 267, thereby driving the conveyor, 266. This feeding mechanism is timed to feed a slip sheet immediately after a printed sheet has been de livered from the press to the stack S2.

To prevent waste of either sheets to be printed or slip sheets, it is desirous to provide an automatic control for both sheet and feeding mechanisms, To control the slip sheet feeding mechanism I employ a plunger 290 which is slidably. mounted in a vertical slideway in the table 252 andis raised andlowered by a rock arm 291. Acam portion 292a of the bar 292 coacts with the rock arm 291 to cause the plunger 290 to be raised in a position which will raise the stack S3 to cause the stack to clear the slot 256 in the shaft 255, whereupon the feeding mechanism will fail to feed a slip sheet. The bar 292 is provided with a depending ear 294 which has a slotted opening 295 and normally reciprocates with the table 252. An arm 296 of a lever 297 normally slides idle in the slot 295. However, if the arm 296 is raised the forward movement of the table 252 will cause the lug 294 to engage the shoulder 298 of the arm 296 and will prevent the bar 292 from further movement forward (to the left in Fig. 14) whereas the table 252 will continue in its movement and carry with it the rock arm 291,'which will be cammed about its pivot 291a in such a manner as to raise the plunger 290. If the arm 296 then returns to a normal position a rearward movement of the table 252 will cause the depending lug 294 to engage a shoulder 299 of the arm 296, thereby restraining the bar 292 from further movement to the right and the table 232, continuing in its movement, will withdraw the cam portion 292a of the bar 292 from contact with the rock arm 291 thereby permitting the plunger 290 to return to its normal position.

To raise and lower the lever 296 I'provide the latter with an arm 300 which overlies a plunger 301 of a solenoid 302. The solenoid 302 may be energized by means of the contact 200 and the fingers 32 and 33 of the press and their associated mechanisms as shown in Figs. 8 and 9 and heretofore described in detail. In this instance, however, instead of the solenoid operating a vacuum valve, it serves to operate the plunger 290 as heretofore described and diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 17.

It is evident that the foregoing control will operate to cause the slip sheet feeding mechanism to fail to function whenthe fingers 32 and. 33 fail to receive a printed sheet from the press. This, therefore, prevents waste of slip sheets To complete the automaticcontrol it is also desirous to automatically control the sheet feeding mechanism which feeds the press with sheets to be printed. To accomplish this I prefer to cause the sheet feeding mechanism 30 to fail only when the slip sheet feeding mechanism fails to feed two consecutive sheets. I find that by so doing I obtain great efficiency from the press.

However, it is contemplated that I may cause the sheet feeding mechanism 30 to fail upon a single failure of the slip sheet feeding mechanism, if so desired. To accomplish this I prefer to utilize the solenoid 217 and its associated mechanism as shown in Fig. 11 and heretofore described in detail. Rigidly secured to the shaft 263 of the slip sheet feeding mechanism is a pinion310 which meshes with a gear 311 rotatably mounted on a stud 312 secured to the frame 250. The ratio of this gearing is such thatthe gear 311 will rotate once for every two revolutions, each revolution of the gear 3l0 which rotates once for each revolution. of the, driving gear 18 cured to 'a'shaft 319, mounted .in'the frame-- of thepress. Securedqto the gear. 311 and insulated, therefrom, isa contact arm 313; which is-electrically connected to acollector J ring 314-on1 the hub of the gear 311. A brush 315mounted on an'insulatin'g bracket 316 bears against the collector rin'g315 and I provides an electrical contact, by means-of a wiring3-16a, between the contact arm 313 of thegearand a contactmember'317 which s carried by an insulating arm 320 rigidly se members 250. Rotatably mounted on a shaft 319 is adetector finger 305 which normally lies in the slot306 of the table 305. In the normal operation of the feed table 252, a slip sheet will raise the paper detector 305 caus-' ing an arm 320to break the contact between:-

' to return the arms 341'a'nd347 to their norav itself and the contact member 317. Y

I When the arm 313 is in contactswith the memberc325, andthere is notpaper on. the table 306,"to cause the contact between the arm 320 and the member 317 to be brokema circuit will be made through the arm. 320

and member 317' to the ar'm 313 and thence" through the contact-325 and wiring'330 to a solenoid 331,"thence through wiring 332 to a battery 333, or other source of power, one terminal. of whichlmay be grounded as at 334.' In 'this instance thesolenoid331 acts tora se a latch'340releasing'an arm341which contacts with a member'342. It willbe noted thatundertheseconditions the solenoid 21-7 not affected.- The solenoid .217 is on an mdependent circuit from that of the relay 331;; The solenoid217 is COIlIlGCtGdbYmEBJIS of wiring 345 to the arm 341' and if the arm 341'is in contact with a member 9.42am.- cult would :be possible through wiring 346 I to energize an 'arm347. However,'the arm 347 is out'of contact with a member 348, caus-' Inga break'in the circuit as the member-348' connects with the source of power by wiring =349'and'both the source of power and the solenoid v2'17v are grounded'for the return'cir cu1 Fig-18. a v v ;'If the feeding mechanismshouldfafl to feed two-consecutive sheets the coil 217 will the arm 341 to contact with the member 342 It is necessary that the contact member- 31 7;beenergized only at stated intervals, and

atsuch time that under normal operationconditions there would befa slip'sheet on the table. 316. To accomplish thisl prefer to once for. each When the slip sheet feedin 7 functions normally and feeds a s eet of paper This'condition is best illustrated scribed. But'in this instance the arm 313 will be in contact with theimember 326, which by means ofwiringg350 energizes a sole'noidf 351 which is joined by means of wiring332-f to the source of power 333. TheQenergization of the solenoid 351 causes a latch 352 to release thearm-347 and permit it tocontact with the member 348, thereby closing the circuitto-the solenoid '217, causing the latter .toraise the. arm 205 thereby causing the feeding mechanism 30 to fail to function.

u'res commences to feed again [it is desirous mal or latched position in which position- When the slip sheet feeding mechanism, after onefailure or'even two consecutive failthey, are out of contact with-the members342 and 348 thereby opening the circuit to the solenoid .217 permitting thefpaper feeding mechanism 30 to function. normally. This. may be accomplished by means of a second arm 360 rigidly secured-to the .gear311- and 250. .Both members 361 and 362'are conadapted to contact with'members 361 and 362 nected with-a pair of solenoids365 by means by either the contact 361 or 362, and the are connectedz'by means of wiring 363 an 332 to the source: of power 333,0ne terminal of 3 which maybe grounded for the purpose of a return circuit.

mechanism S4 (Fig. 20 to the table; 306 the arm 305 is raise thereby breaking: the contact between the. arm. 320 and the-'mem-' her 317 handmakingi a contact between the arm 320 and a contact member 366. The member 366 is connected by means. 'of wiring 367 to a suitable brush 368 which coacts with a collector ring 369 rigidly securedto the hub of the gear'301 and'adapted to energize the arm 360 which at this time is in contact with the member 361. Hence a contact between the arm320 and the memher 366 may energize the solenoids 365. causing them to raise the arms 341 and 347camming thelatches' 340 and 352 upwardlyby reason of bevelled portions 370-and 371 of the latches and causing the arms to be engaged by. their respective latches, thereby re the entire circuit-to a normal con- .dition." be energ zed. Tlns-condition is illustrated turning It is apparent from the'foregoi'ng description that I have provided pa er feed-mech- "to a stack alternately'with' the rinted sheets as the latter are discharged y the" press. 'S uch'feedingmechanisms maybe controlled by the failure of'oneor the other to, function.

' that is, the 'slip, sheet" feeding mechanism may be controlled by'the failure of thefeeding mechanism which feeds the press with sheets to be printed, which of course,causes the press to fail to discharge the Likewise, the feeding mechanism which, supplies the press withsheets to be printed may be causedto fail byreason of afailure of the slip sheet feeding'mechanism. It is also evident that I supply a jpair of feeding mechanisms both of which maybe controlled by thefailure ornon failure of the other feeding mechanism to function and by reason of such control I havepro'vided aprinting-press" feeding mechanism "which is adapted for use on the' ordinary printlng press and" permits great economy both in "stock to beprinte'd and'in slip sheet material.

By controlling the stockfeeding mechanism by thefailur'e or non-failure of theslip sheet feeding mechanism I greatly reduce the loss of'printed sheets due to offsetting of the ink from a previously discharged sheet. By

providing 'a' slip sheet feeding mechanism whichfcontrolled by a failure'of the press to discharge a printed; sheet,feconomy results in thatfewer slip sheets are required and that the stack of" printed sheets and slip sheets discharged by" the respective mechanisms contains no surplusage of shpcsheets and is therefore more readily handled.

'What'I claim is: i

1'. Incombination with alprinting press, a Sheet feeding mechanism adapted to feed sheets to the press, a sheet discharge mechanism associated" with the press and a sheet associating mechanism adjacent the press and operating in timed relationship with thef-p'ress and adapted toassociate sheets alternately with the sheets discharged by the aforesaid discharge mechanism and in a path normal to the. path of the sheet discharged by the first-named'discharg'e mechanism- 2. In combination with a printing press a a sheet feeding mechanism adapted to feed sheets to the press a sheet nism associated Wlth the ress, a sheet dischargem'echanism fadapted to feed sheets to a common stack alternately relati e to sheets discharge mecha-v being discharged by said dischargemechanism, a sheet detector associated with one of said discharge mechanisms and means "asso ciated with said detector to'causethe mechanism associated with the other, discharge mechanism'in its fail offunctiOn to" feeding a 'sheet upon the failure oftheifirstidis charge mechanism to feed a sheet;

sheets to the stackin "relative to sheets trolled by the 3. In combination: riiiting a sheet feeding mechanism a apted tofeed sheets to the press, a sheet dischargemechanism 'associated with the press, a sheet stackcharge mechanism and a control means connecting the press, the associated-discharge mechanism and, both sheet feeding-mechanisms whereby they are operated in synchronism. a

4.111 an apparatus of the class described a sheet feeding means, means adapted to change the character of the sheets fed by said feeding means including a sheet dis charge mechanism, a second sheet feeding and discharge mechanism adapted toalternately discharge sheets to a common stack wlththe aforesaid discharge mechanism and a sheet detector associated-,with the firstnamed discharge'mechanism and means associated with said detector to cause the lastnamed feeding mechanism to fail'to function to feed a'she'et. I y

5. In combination with a sheet feeding mechanism a l printing mechanism to perform Work on the sheets, a second sheet including a discharge, mechanism feeding mechanism adapted to feed slip sheets, to a common stack alternately with theosheets discharged by the work performing means and means responsive to the. presence or absenceof a sheet 'wherebya failureof either sheet "feeding mechanism to function will automaticall result in a failure of the other feeding mec anism.

6. In" combination with a printing-press a sheet feedingmechanism adapted to feed sheets to the press to be printed, a sheet stacking mechanism, discharge mechanism associated with the press adapted to discharge printed sheets to the stacking mechanism, a second sheet feeding mechanism conpress and adapted to discharge slip sheets to the stacking mechanism alternately relativeto the sheets discharged by press discharge mechanism and means associated with one of said mechanisms whereby a failure of the other discharge mechanism associated with the other feeding ischarged by said-dis.

mechanismto'discharge a sheet -to,- the stack will cause an interruption in the feedof the former sheet feeding mechanism and means acting/on the next cycle of operation de-' pendent upon the discharge of a sheet by said} discharge mechanism to automatically cause the former feeding mechanism to function. r a V 7. In an apparatus of the class described a sheet feeding means, including a sheet discharge mechanism, means interposed between the feeding means and the discharge mechanism adapted to change the character -'-of"the-work, a secondv sheetjfeeding mecha-t v nismadapted to feed sheetsalternately with the" *first-named discharge mechanism, .a

'sheet'de tector associated with one of said discharge mechanism, and means including a solenoid adapted to be controlled by the detector, 'tollcausega-failure of one of said dischjar emechanismsupon a failure of the other? aedingjmechanism to "discharge a ':'8.- In combination with a printing press "a sheet feeding mechanism adapted to feed sheet's'to the press "to beprinted', discharge mechanism associated withthe press adapted I to discharge'printed sheets to ajcommon stack,

a second sheet feeding mechanism'operating "in synchronism with .the' ress, adapted to feedslip sheetsto the stac "of sheets, alternately relativetolthe discharge of printed sheets from the pressfland means associated with both of said feeding mechanisms whereby a failure of either mechanism to discharge 'a' sheet to'the stack'will result in temporary interruption'of the feed of, the other-sheet feeding mechanism.

9. In an apparatus of the classde'scribed a sheetfeeding means, means adapted to performworkon the 'sheets'fed b the aforesaid feeding. means including a s eet discharge mechanism adapted to discharge-sheets to a common stack,'a second sheet 'fee'ding mechanism adaptedto feed sheets'to "the stack alternately relative to sheets fed by, the first named discharge mechanism and means acting oneach feedmg mechamsm responsive to the presence or non presence of a sheet tocause a. failure 1 ofe ther of said feeding mechanisms upon a failure of the other feed- 1 ing mechanism to dischar e a s'heetand means acting-on the nextsuccee gcycleofoperatio'n'to cause the former discharge mechanism todischarge a' shee.t,fsaid means being dependent upon the discharge of the sheetby the former discharge mechanism.

i 10."=-In combination with rintin g press.

. a she'et feeding mechanism a apted to feed sheets-tothe p'ress'to be printed, discharge mechanism associated with the press adapted v to discharge printedsheetsito a suitable stacking mechanism, a second sheet feedin mecha nism controlledby thepress adapte' to feed failure of eithermechanism to discharge a lsli" fsheetsto the stack of' sheetsalternately.

re atively-jtothe "discharge of printed sheets fro the press andfmea'ns, responsive to the resence or absence'of a sheet, associated with oth of said feeding mechanisms whereby a sheet'to'the stacking mechanism will cause the other sheet feeding mechanism to fail to feeda sheet and means acting on the next succeeding cycle of' operation to automatically cause bothfeeding mechanismslto' feed Q .411, :In a printing mechanism including ,a

sheets.

plurality of sheet feeding-mechanisms the combination ofaprinting-fpress disposed betw'e'en s'aid'mechanisms, means whereby the feeding me'chanismand the printing press may be controlled to operate in-synchronism 1 with each other, anda control -meansassociated with thefeeding mechanism: and the press, adaptedto automatically. cause a failure of'one of the sheet feedingmechanisms,

it'when the press fails to. discharge a printed sheet or another feedingmechanism fails to feed asheet and means acting'to, cause the other feeding mechanism to function on the nextsucceedingcycle ofopieration, said means dependentupon thepresence ofa sheet in the pressfdischarge mechanism. 4

. 12.. In. combination with a f lurality of sheet feeding mechanisms, a printing press including a sheet discharge mechanism disposed between! said feeding mechanisms,

the slipsheet feeding mechanism if the press should fail to discharge a sheet and automat cally feed a slip sheetv on the nextsucceedi'ng cycle of operation, a dependent, upon the .pr'e'senceof a sheet in the press discharge mechanism;

' 1'3. lnicombinatien ,with .;a plurality .of sheet feeding mechanisms, a printing press including a discharge mechanism, disposed between said feeding mechanisms, means whereby the feeding mechanisms and; the printin I'p'res's may be controlled tovoperate ins nc ronism with each other, one of said fee ing means being adapted to feedsheets 'tofthe' press to be printed another of said sheet feedingmechanisms eing adapted to dischar e a slip sheet alternate relative to the discharge ofprinted sheets li y the a ress, control'means associated with each 0 said feeding mechanisms and the press adapted to automaticallycause a failure of the slip sheet feeding mechanism when the press fails to dischargefaf sheet and to automatically cause'thef first namedgfeedingmeans to fail when the slip sheet feed-ing mechanism fails to" discharge a' predetermined number of successive sheets.

-1 11, combinationwitfl ip iiht'i gpr including a sheet dischargeinechanism adapted" to discharge printed'sheets to a stack, a

slip she et associating mechanism adapted to discharge slip sheets to the. stack between each printed sheetas the printed: sheets are 'discharged by; the press,;-and n eans including a sheet detector associated withthe press and a solenoid associated with the sheet associating mechanism and controlled by the presence or absence of asheet in the press discharge mechanism whereby a failure of the press to discharge a printed sheet will cause an interruption in the operation of the slip sheet assoclating mechanism.

15. In combination with a printing press including a sheet discharge mechanism, adapted to discharge printed sheets to a stack, a sheet feeding mechanism adapted to feed sheets to be printed to the press, a sheet feeding mechanism adapted to feed sheets to the stack alternatively relative to sheets being discharged by the ress, control mechanism adapted to cause t e first-mentioned feeding mechanism to fail to feed a sheet to be printed to the press and arelay mechanism adapted .to operate said control mechanism and responsive 'to a predetermined number of successive fallures of the second-named feeding mechanism to feed sheets to the stack.

16. In combination with a sheet feedin mechanism means adapted to perform wor on sheets fed by such mechanism whereby a plurality of sheets are in progress in such work-performing means, means comprising a pair of gripper fingers adapted to discharge sheets to a common stack, a second sheet feeding mechanism adapted to discharge sheets alternatively relative to sheets discharged by such first-named dischargemeans and means responsive to the presence or nonpresence of a sheet in said gripper fingers to cause the last-named feeding means to fail to feed a sheet and wherein the presence of a sheet in said gripper fingers on the next succeeding cycle of operation will cause the last-named feeding means to function'to feed a sheet.

17. In combination, a printing press, including a sheet discharge mechanism adapted to discharge printed sheets to a stack, a

slip sheet assoclating mechanism adapted to discharge the slip sheet to the stack between each printed sheet discharged by the press and including discharge rolls and a pneumatic means adapted to remove the sheet from a pile and feed it to the roll, a valve controlling said pneumatic means, a solenoid adapted to operate said valve, and means responsive to the presence or non-presence of a printed sheet in said discharge mechanism adapted to cooperate with the solenoid associated with the sheet associating mechanism whereby a failure of the press to discharge a printed sheet will cause the valve to operate on a pneumatic means to cause an interruption in the operation of the slip sheet associating mechanism.

18. In combination with a printing press including a sheet discharge mechanism adapted to discharge printed sheets to a stack, a sheet feeding mechanism adapted to feed sheets to the press to be printed, a sheet feeding mechanism adapted to feed sheets to the stack alternatively relative to the sheets being discharged by the press, control mechanism adapted to cause the first-mentioned feeding mechanism to fail to feed a sheet to the press to be printed, a normally idle relay mechanism responsive to a failure of the second-named feeding mechanism, to

feed sheets and adapted to operate said control mechanism when the feeding mechanism fails to feed a predetermined number of successive sheets, and means to restore said relay 4 and means including a sheet detector asso ciated with the press and a vacuum nozzle associated with the sheet associating mechanism whereby a failure of the press to discharge a printed sheet will cause an interruption in the operation of the slip sheet associating mechanism.

20. In combination with a plurality of sheet feeding mechanisms, discharge means associated with each sheet feeding mechanism adapted to feed sheets to a common stack, each discharge mechanism acting in timed relationship with each other to alternatively discharge sheets means responsive to the presence or absence of a sheet in each of said discharge mechanisms to cause a temporary interruption of the feeding mechanism associated with the remaining discharge mechanism.

21. The combination with a printing press a sheet feeding mechanism adapted to feed sheets to the press, a sheet discharge mechanism associated with the press, a second sheet feeding mechanism operating in timed relationsh1p with the press and adapted to feed sheets alternately with the sheets discharged by the aforesaid discharge mechanism and means responsive to the presence or absence of a sheet in the press discharge mechanism to cause a failure of the second named feeding mechanism and means responsive to the presence or absence of a predetermined numer of successive discharge sheets in the second named feeding mechanism to cause the first named feeding mechanism to fail to supply the press with sheets to be printed.

22. In an apparatus of the class described a sheet feeding means, a discharge mechanism, means interposed between the sheet feeding means and the discharge mechanism 

